Tuesday, February 22, 2000
REDS NOTEBOOK
Larkin doesn't want free agency
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Shortstop Barry Larkin said he wouldn't set a deadline for an agreement for a contract extension with the Reds. But he named a date by which he wanted a settlement anyway.
“The deadline is get it done before the end of the season,” Larkin said Monday. “So I don't have to become a free agent.”
Larkin, 35, is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $5.3 million this year. He and Reds management have repeated their hopes that an agreement will be reached.
“I want to be here,” Larkin said.
Talks have not begun between the Reds and Eric Goldschmidt, Larkin's agent.
Larkin might accept less than market value to stay with Cincinnati. But he won't be too much of a bargain. Houston second baseman Craig Biggio signed a three-year, $28 million extension this offseason, a possible look at Larkin's price tag.
“That's something the general manager (Jim Bowden) and my agent are going to have to work out,” Larkin said. “I was hoping something would get done this winter. Winter's over. It's time to play. I'm not concerned about it. I'm concerned about playing. They'll work something out.”
PITCHER-HUNGRY: Bowden expressed his desire to obtain more pitching to strengthen the Reds' staff.
“I spend more time trying to get pitching than I did Ken Griffey Jr.,” Bowden said.
Though the Reds ranked fourth in the National League with a 3.98 ERA last year, it's generally perceived that insufficient pitching could prevent them from reaching the postseason despite the addition of Griffey to a potent lineup. No deal appears imminent, though teams typically spend time evaluating their rosters in spring training before intensifying trade talks.
“I've always pursued pitching, every day that I've had this job. That will never change,” Bowden said. “Because you win with pitching.”
REYES UPDATE: Assistant trainer Mark Mann said that left-hander Dennys Reyes should be able to resume throwing off a mound in five to seven days, barring further problems with his shoulder.
Reyes, diagnosed with tendinitis, played catch at a 60-foot distance Monday. Mann said that Reyes will rest his arm today.
NUMBERS GAME: Ken Griffey Jr. affirmed that he had no problem with taking jersey number 30 after wearing 24 for 11 seasons with the Seattle Mariners. Griffey's father, the team's bench coach, gave up his No.30 and has switched to No.33.
Griffey added that “all the kids who came back with the Reds” wore their father's number and cited Pete Rose Jr., who wore No.14 during his brief 1997 stint with Cincinnati.
Griffey said he discussed the issue with Tony Perez, the Hall of Famer who wore No.24 during his Reds tenure. Though Perez's number hadn't been issued, it wasn't officially retired until the day after Griffey's acquisition. A ceremony placing Perez's number on the Cinergy Field wall will be held May 27.
Perez said on the evening of the Griffey trade that he wanted to keep his number.
“I respect what he did,” Griffey said. “He's in the Hall of Fame. He's known me since I was a little kid. These are the guys I've looked up to.”
LINDNER VISITS: Carl Lindner toured the Reds facilities Monday afternoon with a sizable entourage of relatives, but no St. Bernards.
The Reds principal owner, known to most of his baseball employees only by reputation, was introduced to players, coaches, front office staff and clubhouse cuisine. He posed for photographers holding a Chiquita banana.
“I have two or three other businesses that have to get my top attention — Chiquita, American Financial and the Provident Bank — but I love the Reds,” Lindner said in a rare talk with reporters.
The 80-year-old Lindner joked that efforts to get him in the batting cage ended when he saw how well Barry Larkin's son hit the ball.
“I came out to look the place over in case I wanted to switch jobs with any of you,” Lindner told Reds first baseman Sean Casey.
“I'll switch jobs with you,” Casey replied.
Reds Stories
UC still No. 1 where it counts - RPI
Xavier needs more home magic
Prosser won't talk about job openings
Dillon: Let me out of here
Script ready for sectional
Mount St. Joseph's teams improved rapidly
Stanley Cup to visit Dayton
Michigan St. hitches its star to Cleaves
Cyclones thump 'Jacks
Reds page
